Uncertainty

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"Dad?"

"What is it Bryan?

What was mom like?" I asked curiously, only being six years old, almost seven.

"Oh? What brought this up?"

"Because you don't talk about mom and I overheard others talking about stuff between you and mom."

"Don't mind them, for none know your mother better than I."

Giggling, I hugged my dad for I knew my mother was not what the adults were saying.

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Snapping my eyes open, I instantly sat upright before my body started protesting with pain and fatigue. Wincing, I closed my eyes for I also had a headache to at least somehow lessen the pounding for it felt like my head was being pounded like the anvil.

"Finally awake, eh?"

"...Muh?" My mind was still trying to catch up so I didn't recognize the voice straight away, but something about it felt familiar.

"Don't muh me lad! I was worried to death for you when you didn't show up!"

Finally being able to think clearly, I was able to figure out who's voice it was. Opening my eyes, I could tell I was inside the healer's hut for their the only ones that have a hut when everyone else have sturdy, wooden buildings. Looking to my left, I could make out the shape of the old klutz and the healer next to him.

"No need to shout... I'm not deaf you know..." was my only response for even though my mind was clear, I still couldn't recall what had happened to me.

"Seem's your back to ye ol' self, eh? Sarcastic as ever... but lad, are you sure your okay?"

Before I could even tell him not to worry about me and worry about his own back, my stomach growled. Looking down in embarrassment, I avoided the two dreaded looks I was being given for I kinda have an idea what's coming.

"So... care to explain why you were out there?"

"Umm... I was just taking a walk?" I mentally kicked myself at that. I could've come up with something better than that! I chuckled nervously while rubbing my left arm with my right while looking at Darrin's unamused stare.

"Just... a walk, eh? Now why don't I believe that?"

"Maybe because... umm..."

"That it's a lie?" Sighing, he pinched the brink of his nose. "Bryan, I've told you that you can tell me anything if you have anything on your mind, lad."

"I'm... not so sure..." Truth was, I couldn't remember what happened to me. Closing my eyes to what I can recall, I was wandering around in the forest at night... yet I feel there's more to it. "Umm... how long was I gone for?"

"five days. You showed up out of nowhere and unconscious at my door no less."

"... I see."

"Something on your mind lad?"

Yes, something is on my mind...

"Not at all Darrin." I said with a slightly forced smile, for I myself am in doubt at how long it's been. I thought it was only three days, but five? What happened to me for those two extra days?

Placing a hand on my shoulder, which he always seems to do, he said, "Lad, do you even know what's coming soon?"

"No?" He just gave me a resigning sign like this should be something everyone knows, which in truth, is kinda true. "What? I'm not really at fault for I was apparently gone for five days."

"Aye, that's true lad. Putting that aside with your snarky sarcasm," not sure when was the last time, but he now had a serious look on his face. "I think it's best if you stop going out there lad."

"But-" He held a hand in front of me, stopping my complaint and disagreement.

"Listen to me lad, there's two reasons as to why I'm telling you this. One, it's for your own good." I just plastered a pouting face. "Two, we have some visitors coming from the nearby harbor."

"What's the problem with that?"

"In truth, that's not really the problem." I gestured for him to continue. "The problem... is the company their with."

"... May I question what company is accompanying them?" I felt a sense of unease starting to settle in.

He just sighed, as if this was a heavy burden to say. "Advisors for the royal family. Knights to be exact."

Advisors for the royal family? Knights? "W-why are they passing through here?" No idea why I was starting to feel panicked at the mention of them coming here or for what purpose.

Shaking my shoulders a bit to get my attention since it went into the sky, "No idea why they are passing through here. All I heard was that it has to do with a request they've taken. But don't go making trouble for them when they pass, you hear me lad? Last thing I want to hear is any trouble that involves you."

"Oh come on." Taking his hands off of me after quite a while, I put on an innocent facade. "Don't you have a little trust in me on this?"

"With that sarcastic tongue of yours, not at all." And with that, he left for the forge while I blankly stared at the back of his head.

Well, ain't that reassuring?